What the Heart Wants (7 page)

Faith and Brooke’s reactions spoke volumes.

Shock.

Were they playing their part, or did it really surprise them to see Heaven in a wedding gown?

It didn’t matter. Distracting Susan was the most important thing at the moment. Judging by her dropped jaw, the plan was working.

“You are stunning,” Susan told Heaven as she gave the gown a full look-over. “Your fiancé will be speechless when he sees you in that dress. Be prepared to pinch him back to reality.”

“Thanks for the tip,” Heaven chuckled.

“He will definitely be excited. Have you been engaged long?”

Think quick…

“Just under a year,” Heaven lied, as she stroked the skirt of the dress.

“I love a good romance story. How did you meet?”

In a dream…

“At a park. I was sitting under a willow tree reading, when he walked by and spotted me.”

How cliché. God, she sucked at acting and lying.

Susan’s lips parted as though she wanted to ask another question, but Ms. Cheryl stepped forward.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but we have a busy schedule. Do you mind leaving us?”

Susan glanced at the store owner, nodding. She adjusted the straps on her purse before looking back at Heaven.

“Thanks for letting me share this special moment with you. Good luck with everything.”

Were those tears in her eyes?

Maybe the reporter wasn’t as hardcore as she pretended to be.

Susan was almost out of the room when she tossed a final comment over her shoulder. “Green’s not really your color, Brooke.”

Then again, maybe she really was a bitch.

Heaven chewed on her lip, hoping Brooke wouldn’t chase Susan outside and beat the crap out of her. She and Faith were best friends for a reason. When Brooke broke eye contact and walked toward the chairs, Heaven released her breath.

“That was intense.”

“Oh. My. God. Hev!” Chelsea squealed. She grabbed Heaven’s shoulder as she swung her around and hugged her. “You saved my ass, girl! Thank you so much.”

Faith punched Heaven’s arm and grinned so wide, Heaven swore her jaw unhinged. “Nice move, Sis. I didn’t think you had it in you to pull off a move like that. Now we need to find out who the hell these two are seeing that would gain a reporter’s attention.”

“Whoa! I think I walked into the wrong fitting room. That’s not my bride.”

The husky male voice had Heaven turning on her heel toward the back entrance. There before her stood Kyle Winters, the devilishly good-looking lead singer from Long Cold Winter.

You’ve gotta be kidding me.

“I…I’m sorry I’m in Chelsea’s dress,” Heaven began, but stopped when Kyle waved off the apology.

“I’ve been lurking in the shadows for a while. Thank you for what you did. Chelsea would probably cancel the wedding if a reporter found out about it.”

“Kyle!” Chelsea shrieked. “What are you doing here?”

Brooke walked over to her sister and placed her hands on her hips. “That’s not the only reason my sister would have canceled the wedding. You are
so
lucky that it’s not Chelsea in the dress.”

“I swear I am not here to sneak a peek. I came by to drop off this,” he said, reaching his arm out to shake an oversized, tan shopping bag.

“Emma volunteered to bring them. Where is she?” Chelsea asked, her eyes scanning the rear entrance that Kyle had come through.

“She can’t make it. Something came up last minute with Rob, so she had to help him. She promised to be at the church this evening for the rehearsal.”

“Oh,” Chelsea grinned. Her eyes darted toward Heaven and then back to Kyle. “Guess it’s time I introduce you. The one wearing my dress is Heaven.”

Heaven’s heartbeat swished in her ears. This was her first celebrity encounter. She didn’t know whether to scream with excitement or pass out from anxiety. Her palms dampened, body trembled, and if she bit her lip any harder, blood would fill her mouth. There was already a metallic hint teasing her tongue.

She decided a smile would be the best response and her lips tightened against her teeth.

“Hi.”

Kyle stepped forward, reaching out his hand.

“Hey, there…thanks again for taking on that reporter. I owe you.”

“No, you don’t. I’d do anything for Chelsea,” Heaven replied.

“Likewise,” he laughed and pulled her in for a hug. “I feel like I already know you.”

Heaven could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. As if this awkward moment of meeting her best friend’s fiancé could get any stranger.

When Kyle pulled away, his smile faded. “I’m sorry. You’re probably wondering why in the world someone you just met would hug you like that. All I can say is that I know how excited Chelsea is to have you here. Knowing she’s happy makes me happy.”

“He’s so sweet, isn’t he?” Chelsea teased as she stepped next to him. Her arms curled around his waist.

As Heaven watched the space between them disappear; the tender kiss they shared reminded her of the void in her heart.

“Save it for the wedding,” Brooke cut in, gaining both her sister’s and Kyle’s attention. “My best friend is here, too. This is Faith Lewis.”

“Hi, Faith—Wow,” he paused, shifting his eyes back to Heaven a moment. “You and Heaven look a
lot
alike.

“Yeah, but I’m the hottest of the two.”

And the mouthiest.

Kyle chuckled. “I see why you and Brooke are such good friends. It’s really good to meet you,” he said before turning his focus on Heaven’s remaining sister. “It’s Hope, right?”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you, Kyle,” Hope said as she shook his hand. Kyle nodded in agreement.

“Okay, I have to go. I have a few errands to run before I meet up with the guys.” He turned to Chelsea, cradling her face in his hands. “I will see you this evening, at the church.”

“I’ll be there,” she winked, giving her fiancé one more kiss before he walked toward the rear exit.

Clever guy. He was used to slipping in and out of buildings unnoticed.

Stupid paparazzi.

“Um, hello? McHottie is your fiancé? How the hell did you catch his interest?” Faith snorted as she walked up to Chelsea.

“Personality, Faith. It’s all in the personality,” Chelsea grinned.

“Yeah, whatever. Details, baby. We need details on that fine specimen of a man. You better not leave anything out.”

Chelsea tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she gazed at Faith. “There’s not much to tell. We met at the hospital while I was working in the medical records department. He came in to get his records. I guess he liked what he saw ‘cause he asked me out. Things escalated from there.”

“No, no, no,” Faith grumbled. “I said don’t leave out
any
details. I want
all
the juicy tidbits.”

“Later, Faith. Right now, we have stuff to do.”

Faith’s eyes dropped to the bag in Chelsea’s hand. “So what’s in the bag?” She tried sneaking a peek, but Chelsea pulled the bag away and hid it behind her back.

“Um, nosy much?” Chelsea teased.

“Don’t get your princess panties in a wad,” Faith said, stepping back. “Can’t a girl be curious?”

“You’re more than curious, Faith. You’re like Nancy Drew meets Sherlock Holmes curious, minus their brilliant minds.”

Chelsea’s body jiggled with laughter as she walked over to one of the chairs and set the bag on it.

“I’m brilliant, thank you very much.” Faith flipped her hair.

Chelsea shook her head. “Sorry, Faith, but the brains in your family gene pool went to Heaven. Who graduated summa cum laude? Not you. You barely graduated high school.”

“Is it my fault that my social life keeps me busy? Who had time for studying when the captain of the football team wanted undivided attention?” Faith’s eyes cut to Heaven. “Heaven may have gotten the brains, but I got the good looks.”

“Really?” Hope jumped in. She folded her arms. And her brows. “Then why do people always comment about how much you and Heaven look alike?”

Faith opened her mouth with what Heaven knew would be some smart-ass comment, but before she could come up with the perfect sarcastic retort, Chelsea shoved a tiny pink box in her hands.

“Enjoy.”

Chelsea gave Hope and Brooke exact replicas of the box before stopping beside Heaven. “Here you go. I hope you like it.”

“What is this for?” Heaven asked as she untied the white satin ribbon and shimmed the top of the box.

“It’s your bridesmaid’s gift. Well, in your case, it’s your maid of honor gift.” Chelsea’s voice trailed off when Heaven gazed into her eyes.

“Mmm—Maid of honor?” Heaven said, tripping over the word. “You want me to be your maid-of-honor?”

“Of course, I do. Will you?”

A smile as sweet as summer sunshine melted Heaven’s heart. How could she refuse?

She couldn’t.

Even if the thought of standing up before a church full of guests that she didn’t know made her squirm.

“You know I will.”

Heaven smiled when Chelsea squealed and crushed her against her chest.

“Thank you! You just made my day,” Chelsea said as she leaned back. “So…do you like it?”

Heaven forgot about the gift box in her hand. She finished pulling off the top, gasping when she saw its contents. A beautiful pearl bracelet. Silver links separated each creamy orb. A round silver charm dangled near the clasp with an “H” engraved on it.

“It’s gorgeous, Chels. I love it. Thank you.” Heaven fought back the moisture collecting in her eyes.

Her sisters offered similar sentiments as they took turns looking at each other’s bracelets.

Chelsea focused her attention back on Heaven for a split second and then reached her hand back in the bag.

“I have something else for you,” she whispered.

Heaven’s eyes fell to the bag, watching Chelsea with the curiosity of a child on Christmas. Chelsea pulled out a book. The outer cover, made of crushed black velvet, struck a familiar chord in Heaven’s heart.

“My God. Is that…” She waited as her best friend nodded and handed her the book.

“Yes, it is.”

“But, how? How did you end up with it?” Heaven asked as she stroked the velvety cover with her fingers. “I thought I’d lost it.”

Many private entries filled the pages inside this book. The hobby she had started when she was younger eventually turned into more. The journal became her confidant.

“I found it when we moved. It was between my mattress and box springs. I can’t believe you don’t remember putting it there?” Chelsea said as her eyes fell to the book. “This journal meant so much to you. Even I got jealous of it.”

Heaven tried to remember why she took it to her best friend’s house to begin with. The journal contained so many secrets; she rarely took it out in front of anyone, especially Faith.

Then it hit her.

“Faith. She snuck in my room and took it. She was trying to embarrass me by reading the pages to everyone at school.”

“Yep. Thank God, Hope caught her with it before she could do any damage.”

“That’s the night I stayed with you, and we went to the Homecoming game.”

The smile on Chelsea’s lips waned. “Yes, and it’s also the night you scared the crap out of me.”

“How?”

Wide eyes completed the oh-my-God response from Chelsea’s lips. “You seriously don’t remember waking me in the middle of the night, crying like a—”

Heaven gasped. “I was crying?”

Chelsea glanced behind them more before pulling Heaven to the corner.

“I’m not sure you were fully awake when this happened. All I remember is that I woke up and found you sitting in the bed, crying and writing in the dark.”

“No way,” Heaven retorted. She couldn’t remember any episodes of sleepwalking or, in this case, sleep writing.

Chelsea nodded her head, eyes filled to the brim with concern. “Seriously, Hev. It scared the shit out of me. When I asked what you were doing, you mumbled something about ‘he’s leaving when I need him the most.’ You closed the book, tucked it under the mattress, and went back to sleep.”

Heaven’s chest squeezed.

Her mind sifted through memories, trying to find the ones she kept tucked away in her subconscious. Why did she have no memory of this dream? Who had she dreamed about? Surely it wasn’t…

The cackling from her sisters and Brooke gained her attention. She looked to see what they were laughing about, but nothing in particular looked funny. Apparently, Brooke had said something because Faith was playfully smacking her upper arm.

Heaven’s eyes shifted back to Chelsea. She forced a smile on her face, trying not to let the thought of her weird dreams get the best of her. When she found a free moment, she would dig into the journal and see what secrets lay within it.

“I guess we’d better get over there before they start asking questions,” Heaven said, still clinging to the journal.

“Yes, we have to get busy, anyway. I think it’s time that
I
try on my wedding dress.” Chelsea winked before her smiled disappeared. “Hev, for the record, I never read any of your entries. And the incident with your dream is safe with me. You’ve kept plenty of my secrets. I hope you know that you can trust me with yours.”

Heaven tensed at the mention of secrets. It was less than an hour ago that she had gotten upset with her best friend for keeping things from her. Now she needed Chelsea to keep tight-lipped. Maybe having secrets wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“I know I can, Chels. You will keep my secrets safe the same way I’ve always kept yours. Thank you.”

Heaven had stepped forward and was walking in the direction of her sisters, when she felt a wave of nausea hit her. Spots danced before her eyes as the room began to spin.

What in the world?

“Chels. I don’t feel so well,” she mumbled as she turned back to look at her best friend. “I feel like I’m gonna…”

“Heaven?” Chelsea called.

At least she thought it was Chelsea’s voice. Everything around her grew dark like a cloudy sky right before a thunderstorm. The plush, beige carpet engulfed her.

* * *

No dangling leaves of a willow tree surrounded them this time. Yet the way he looked at her set Heaven’s skin afire. So many questions sparked to life in his eyes. Questions that spoke volumes without a single word leaving his lips.